Leading up to the International Day of Sport for Development and Peace, which takes place on 6 April, the International Hockey Federation (FIH) is celebrating hockey’s place in promoting peace and development via a range of projects and initiatives. The stories come from across the five hockey-playing continents, with today’s story coming from Oceania.
Across Oceania, the “Hook in4 Health” program is using hockey to break barriers, foster inclusion, and promote education, health, and leadership. On this International Day of Sport for Development and Peace, communities in Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, and New Zealand are coming together to showcase the positive impact of sport in their daily lives.
In Papua New Guinea, the Hook in4 Health Team will join other Sport for Development programs at the Taurama Swimming Pool Complex in Port Moresby. Local participants will take part in activities that emphasize inclusion and education, with a powerful show of unity as they display white cards, symbolizing fairness and respect in sport and society.
Meanwhile, in the Solomon Islands, national hockey players—both Senior and U21—are stepping into leadership roles as coaches and mentors for a “Have a Go Day”. This initiative encourages new participants to try hockey, ensuring accessibility through funding for safe transport and refreshments. By removing financial and logistical barriers, the program creates a welcoming space where the next generation can experience the sport and develop valuable life skills.
A similar sense of community engagement is evident in Vanuatu, where the Mamas in Hockey program is making a meaningful impact in the Epau Community on East Efate. Women from the village will take part in fun hockey activities, followed by a shared meal and health education sessions led by Wan Smolbag’s health nurse.
Helen Kaweil, a participant in the program, highlights how the initiative has transformed her daily life: “Through Hook in4 Health, I have learned how to live well, by taking care of my family and myself; to learn well, by ensuring good hygiene before preparing food; and to lead well, by being a good communicator and an active member of my community.”
In New Zealand, the focus is on growing the sport through education. Hockey New Zealand is delivering an FIH Level 1 Coaching Course in Tauranga on April 5-6, featuring a special Sport for Development module. Led by FIH Trainer Gill Gemming and Olympic Umpire Kelly Hudson, the course will use FIH resources to highlight how coaching can drive social change. Participants will also be encouraged to donate hockey equipment, reinforcing a culture of giving back to the wider Pacific hockey community.
From grassroots participation to structured coaching programs, hockey is proving to be a powerful tool for education, inclusion, and well-being across Oceania. Through initiatives like Hook in4 Health, the sport continues to bring communities together, empower individuals, and promote a healthier, more connected future.
